Diane Williamson is a Tough Cookie

A local Councillor is learning to walk again after being bed-ridden for over two months in The Royal Oldham Hospital. Cllr Diane Williamson who has represented Crompton ward since 2012, on Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council said:

“In 2018 I spent two weeks in hospital battling Sepsis at which time the NHS was celebrating its 70th birthday, five years later I find myself in hospital when it is the 75^th anniversary year. My illness was again Sepsis, an infection in my heart, eyes and hearing. In addition to that I hit my head in a fall and broke my right elbow.

I am on the mend and with the help of my family and Liberal Democrat colleagues, it will soon be 100% business as usual. I would like to thank the staff of The Royal Oldham Hospital for looking after me.”

Shaw ward colleague and friend Councillor Hazel Gloster said “Diane wasn’t happy about not being able to respond to residents’ queries – but she did get updates from me and her colleagues. Her poor health did not stop her talking about Shaw and Crompton related issues” – Hazel concluded “Diane is a tough cookie; she has really been through it. I am so glad she is out of hospital”

“My fight is now not with my health but with getting the best deal for the residents in High Crompton, Shaw and Royton,” said Diane.

Question: Reform and Regeneration – Councillor Howard Sykes Shadow cabinet member

In light of Mayor Burnham’s announcement on the Clean Air Zone, does the Leader think it is appropriate that cameras put in place for the original zone should be handed over to Greater Manchester Police without proper scrutiny or consultation? 

Would they not be put to better use if Council’s repurposed them for safer streets initiatives?

And how does the Combined Authority plan to recoup the more than £3 million plus it spent putting CAZ signs up which turned out never to be needed and the even more cash which will be needed to remove them?

And how much public money has been wasted exploring unwanted and undeliverable versions of the Clean Air Zone, only for the scheme to be scaled back at the eleventh hour.  Not to mention the stress and distress to original scheme caused small business and the self-employed. 

And does she agree with me there has been a significant lack of political oversight of this key Greater Manchester project and can we assured it will not happen again with future transport schemes?

Consequences for CSE failings 

Thank you, Mr Mayor. 

It is almost 18 months since the publication of the Newsam & Ridgeway report into historical child safeguarding failures in Oldham. 

The harrowing accounts of victims detailed in its’ pages are the most shameful and disturbing thing I have ever read in my time on this Council.  The report’s findings deeply shocked and angered the people of Oldham. 

What still shocks and angers people 18 months later is the failure of those in positions of authority and trust to be held to account.

Those who’s responsibility was to safeguard and protect the vulnerable.  Those who could have stepped in to prevent harm and those whose job it was to stop and prosecute the criminals.

These are not just shortcomings or lessons to be learned. 
These are unforgiveable failings.  And unforgiveable failings deserve consequences. 

So, 18 months on I want to ask the Leader if she thinks there have been any consequences for those who failed children in Oldham? 

18 months on from the report… how many officers from Greater Manchester Police have faced disciplinary action and how many officers are still in post?

18 months on from the report… how many from social services, licensing and elsewhere in Oldham Council from that time have faced disciplinary action and how many are still in post? 

Councillors, members of the public, and those directly impacted by this deserve a detailed answer to these questions. 

Anything less is not acceptable.

Oldham Coliseum

Thank you, Mr Mayor. 

Oldham Coliseum Theatre has been failed time and time and again. 

In 2013, proposals for a new building fell through.  In 2019, the same happened again.  Then in 2022, a third set of plans reduced the options to a much smaller 260 seat theatre.  Down from the Fairbottom Street capacity of 550.  One which would not open until at least 2026, and that is now in doubt.

There have been 10 wasted years and the window to do something to protect the Fairbottom Street Venue and its 135-year history was slammed shut at the start of this year when the Arts Council pulled the rug out from under the Coliseum. 

A decade of missed opportunities from the Government and the Labour Council have brought us to this situation.  

Earlier this year, the then Leader of the Council Amanda Chadderton said that the Fairbottom Building was “at the end of its life.”

But a report commissioned in September by the Board of Trustees clearly concludes that this is not the case. 

According to inspectors, the Fairbottom sight is “not beyond repair and could be used again.”

Does the Leader not think it would be best to invest in making Fairbottom Street fit for purpose rather than run the much greater risk of losing Coliseum performances for good?

And given there is now professional evidence which makes it clear that Fairbottom Street is not beyond repair. 

It’s clear that this Administration either took bad advice on the state of the building or was economical with the facts when it came to the cost and feasibility of the repairs.

Which is it?  

Oldham Liberal Democrats slam green belt building plans as final ‘Places for Everyone’ consultation closes 

Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE has once more hit out at plans to build on green belt sites in Oldham.  The Greater Manchester housing masterplan – overseen by Mayor Andy Burnham and known as ‘Places for Everyone’ – has sparked years of controversy for its heavy use of green belt land. 

The proposals for ‘Places for Everyone’ went out for a final public consultation which closed on Wednesday December 6^th. 

In his official response to the consultation councillor Sykes said, “Our green spaces are precious.  Once they are gone, they are gone for good.  The Liberal Democrats remain unconvinced that ‘Places for Everyone’ will serve the interests of Oldham.  It will deliver the wrong homes, in the wrong places, for the wrong reasons.”

In an Oldham Council meeting in November, councillor Sykes challenged the boroughs Labour Leader over ‘Places for Everyone’, stating, “Virtually every commitment on infrastructure development and community-building has been watered down or abandoned.” 

“Labour is asking the people of Oldham to surrender our green spaces in return for… No new investment in roads.  No proportionate contribution to new health care services.  No new school places.”

The Leader of Oldham Council admitted she did have some misgivings about ‘Places for Everyone’ but said her Labour Group remained committed to the plan. 

Councillor Sykes said, “With the public consultation now closed, we wait for the final plans to be brought before the council.  So far, the only Greater Manchester council to free itself from ‘Places for Everyone’ and protect its’ local green belt has been Liberal Democrat controlled Stockport Council.”

“We want to see Oldham follow that example and withdraw from this unwanted scheme.”

Copy of Liberal Democrat submission to the consultation.

Shop smart, not shark 

If you’re feeling the pressure this Christmas and considering a loan, steer clear of loan sharks. They’re bad news. Loan sharks charge massive interest rates, and the amount you end up owing can quickly spiral out of control. Plus, they’re not legal and often use nasty tactics to get their money back.

There’s no need to risk it. If you’re struggling with money, get in touch with Stop Loan Sharks. Their team can give you sound advice and support, all for free. Just call them on 0300 555 2222. They’ll help you find a way through your money worries without the danger of loan sharks. Visit their website here

HMO licensing on the agenda for round table

Council bosses have put greater oversight of HMO licensing on the agenda for a housing roundtable in February following pressure from Liberal Democrat councillor Sam Al-Hamdani.

Following repeated challenges over a substantial number of HMOs in Oldham which had expired licences, and the discovery that none of the Council’s oversight and scrutiny committees were reviewing the licences, the situation is now going to be reviewed with input from councillors.

Councillor Al-Hamdani said: “HMOs are vital to provide housing in our borough, but if they are poorly run, they can leave vulnerable people in insecure and appalling conditions.

“Often people only complain at the planning process, but it is at licensing where the current conditions of the buildings are checked, along with meeting any terms such as around antisocial behaviour and security.

“That was why I was horrified to find out that there was no public oversight of the process, and that several HMOs were still in use despite their licences having expired as much as six months earlier.

“It is vital that the licensing process is far more robust. There should be more powers from central government to allow us to challenge owners, but the Council can and should be already be doing more.

“We can’t end up in a situation again where this number of HMOs are allowed to carry on running without the proper licences in place. I’m glad the Council has started to listen to my concerns – I’ll be happier when they’ve actually done something to give us greater opportunity to challenge poor quality housing.”